5 Best Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Worksheets for Anger Management

When teaching people with anger issues how to better manage it, therapists like to use various cognitive behavioral therapy worksheets for anger management.

Anger Management
September 29, 2025

When teaching people with anger issues how to better manage it, therapists like to use various cognitive behavioral therapy worksheets for anger management. All of these worksheets are formulated to help a person manage their anger issues and reframe their negative thoughts into positive, helpful ones. Therapists normally give these worksheets to their clients to use in sessions and on their own. These anger management worksheets are effective in helping many cope with their problems. Here are the five best CBT worksheets every therapist must use for their anger management clients.

Anger Iceberg Worksheet

This first worksheet could work well as a group discussion or something that one client can do on their own. It helps the client figure out what's really behind their incessant anger. These could be feelings of sadness, fear, guilt, or jealousy. Once both they and the therapist figure out what's deeply behind their anger, the therapist will then recommend how they can manage these feelings. For example, a client whose anger is fueled by stress may benefit from better self-care habits.

When using this worksheet in session or outside of a session, try thinking about what type of emotions you might feel in certain situations. For example, imagine yourself trying to handle difficult emotions such as sadness or hurt effectively. Think about how you would show these emotions. How do you usually cope with them? Be sure to circle any hidden emotions you may have underneath that anger.

woman in a tank top angry.

Deep Breathing Worksheet

One of the most popular techniques for people dealing with a serious emotional issue like anger. This Deep Breathing worksheet is a one-page information document that gives you a set of instructions and tips to do this exercise effectively. When a person is angry, they are usually stressed and anxious. Deep breathing exercises allow them to calm their nerves and relieve their anxiety a little better. It works by taking slow, deep breaths to relax the body.

The instructions are very easy to follow and can be practiced anytime you sense some anger blowing up. You first start by inhaling slowly for 4 seconds. Hold the air in your lungs for the same amount of time and exhale slowly for 6 seconds. Continue to repeat this for at least 2 minutes. This printout is a good take-home guide for those practicing deep breathing exercises to manage their anger problems.

Coping Skills: Anger

To help you cope with the skills of managing anger, this information worksheet gives you six techniques for doing it the right way. Two of these techniques, such as being aware of triggers and knowing your warning signs, can help to prevent or reduce any serious anger. Each of the six techniques has a brief description and detailed instructions on how you can use them. Some of the other techniques are great for helping you take control of your anger. These six techniques include:

  • Be aware of triggers- Pay attention to what sets you off. These could be certain people, situations, places, or other things.
  • Practice deep breathing- As was mentioned earlier, it's always important to practice breathing exercises to help alleviate your stress and anxiety.
  • Keep an anger log- Every time you go into some fits of anger, be sure to record that experience in a journal. What was the situation? Where did it take place? These are the types of questions you should be asking yourself.
  • Use diversions- Create a distraction that will allow you to control your anger. This could be listening to music, watching TV, etc. You can always return to the reason behind your anger later.
  • Taking a time-out- This is effective to use for couples going through a heated argument. Sometimes, they need to take some time away to walk away from the problem and return to each other once they cooled off.
  • Know your warning anger signs- These are physical signs that you're about to experience an anger outburst. Be sure you're aware of them to keep these from happening often. Some good examples of these signs are sweating, raising your voice, clenching your fists, etc.
woman in a sweater angry.

Anger Stop Signs

This worksheet activity is a two-page document where you could learn how to identify your anger warning signs. The Anger Stops Signs worksheet allows you to draw what you look like when you're a little angry. You can also draw what you look like when your anger grows bigger. On the second page, you could start to write down your anger warning signs. You should start to develop a good sense of what makes you angry or sets off your temper.

Here are a few examples of how you can use this worksheet effectively. Let's say a good sign of when your anger starts small is when your daughter has only two clothes on the floor of her room. You will draw how you would react to that in the first box. In the second box, if your daughter has a lot of clothes piled up on the floor, your anger will start to become bigger and you could draw what you would like in here. The second page allows you to write down an anger warning sign such as, "I can't think straight" in the red stop sign.

Healthy vs. Unhealthy Coping Strategies

The last worksheet many therapists like to use amongst clients dealing with anger problems is the Healthy vs. Unhealthy Coping Strategies two-page document. In this sheet, clients are being taught about healthy coping strategies for dealing with their problems. They're given three scenarios of different people and their problems. The three discussion questions that are followed help a client figure out healthy coping strategies each of the three people could use. On the second page, clients can talk about a personal problem that they're dealing with and outline various healthy and unhealthy coping strategies. Enter your text here ...

Conclusion

With the help of these five CBT treatment worksheets, many therapists have been able to help their clients manage their anger. Utilize these worksheets when you're in sessions or various personal situations. Managing your anger issues takes one day at a time. But you and your therapist can be successful if you take advantage of the skills being given to you in CBT treatment.

Resources

Anger Iceberg worksheet-https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/anger-iceberg.

Deep Breathing worksheet-https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/deep-breathing-worksheet.

Coping Skills: Anger-https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/coping-skills-anger.

Anger Stop Signs-https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/anger-warning-signs-children.

Healthy vs. Unhealthy Coping Strategies-https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/healthy-unhealthy-coping-strategies.

Author

Jennifer Luttman, LPC, ACS

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.

Common Questions

Questions about Anger Management

What techniques are used in anger management therapy?

From deep-breathing hacks to communication strategies, therapy equips you with real-life tools. It’s less about “don’t get angry” and more about “here’s how to use your anger without it using you.”

Can therapy really help with my anger?

Yes! Therapy doesn’t erase anger—it helps you harness it. Like channeling storm energy into wind power, counseling transforms intense emotions into healthier choices and stronger relationships.

What is anger management therapy?

Think of anger management therapy as a personal GPS for your emotions—it helps you navigate heated moments without crashing. You’ll learn tools to stay calm, communicate better, and take back control.

How long does anger management therapy take?

There’s no stopwatch on healing, but many notice improvements within weeks. Every small win—pausing before snapping, choosing calm over chaos—is proof you’re moving in the right direction.

How do I know if I need anger management?

If your temper feels like a fire alarm going off at the slightest spark, therapy can help. You don’t need to hit “rock bottom” to seek support—getting help is a proactive step toward peace.

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